Fight Back Against Hillside Erosion With These Landscaping Strategies
Sloped front yards can be notoriously difficult spaces to landscape. Not only does the steep grade present challenges for growing plants and creating usable spaces, but erosion often rears its ugly head.
As rainfall flows rapidly down steep slopes, it strips away nutrient-rich topsoil vital for healthy plant growth. Gullies form. Foundation problems emerge. Gradual soil loss occurs. Before you know it, your once-green hillside looks barren and sad.
Assess Extent of Erosion on Your Hillside
Before charging ahead with solutions, take time to understand what's causing erosion on your property. This informed approach will help you implement targeted fixes that address the root issues.
Identifying Signs of Erosion
Scan your yard for any visual red flags:
- Rills or gullies cutting into the landscape
- Bare patches where plants struggle to grow
- Changes in soil composition and color
- Declining health of existing vegetation
Consulting Local Extension Office
Your county's extension office has experts well-versed in local growing conditions. They can visit your property to help determine:
- Cause and severity of erosion issues
- Suggestions for suitable plants
- Appropriate erosion control methods
Testing Soil Composition
A soil test through your extension office or private lab will uncover pH levels, macro and micronutrients, organic matter percentage, and composition. Understanding the soil on your unique property helps inform amendments and plant choices.
Reshape and Fortify Your Yard's Terrain
Sometimes working with the existing slope isn't realistic. Through structural additions and earth-moving, a landscape design for sloped yards can effectively control erosion.
Install Supportive Structures
Strategically placed structures reinforce vulnerable areas:
- Retaining walls - Contain and prevent soil slippage
- Stone/gravel terraces - Break up slope into planting areas
- Drainage ditches - Provide channels for water flow
Regrade Steep Slopes
For overly steep inclines, grading equipment can gently recontour the slope into gentler segments. This reduces erosion potential and facilitates planting and maintenance.
Build Up Borders With Boulders
Line the edges of slopes with partially buried boulders. These sturdy borders define the perimeter of your landscape while securing soil and preventing runoff.
Establish Extensive Plant Cover
One of the best defenses against erosion is dense vegetative cover protecting your hillside's soil mantle.
Prioritize Deep-Rooted Native Plants
Tap into hardy native species naturally adapted for slope stabilization:
- Grasses like little bluestem and prairie dropseed
- Wildflowers such as purple coneflower and black-eyed susans
- Shrubs/trees like ninebark, serviceberry, and chokecherry
Plant Densely
Leave no bare patches for water to exploit. Vary heights, textures, and bloom times for year-round soil coverage and visual interest.
| Spring | Wild columbine |
| Summer | Coneflowers |
| Fall | Grasses and sedges |
Consider Groundcover Alternatives
For low-maintenance options, moss and creeping thyme offer lush greenery protecting soil while requiring less care than traditional turfgrass.
Maintain Your Landscape Over Time
Erosion prevention doesn't end after installation. Ongoing landscape care preserves your investment and keeps soil firmly in place.
Monitor For New Erosion
Periodically inspect slopes for new rills and gullies indicating soil movement. Address problem areas promptly before they expand.
Replenish Mulch
Maintain 3-4 inches of organic mulch in planting beds. Mulch conserves moisture and cools soil while suppressing weed growth.
By clearing away dead stems and removing wayward growth, plants remain healthy and vigorous. This prevents bare spots allowing erosion.